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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

• About the 419 (Advance Fee) scam
• "Is that email a scam?" - Check it online here!
  
• Frequently asked Questions (419 FAQ)
• Phone numbers used by 419 scammers
  (+225 +229 +234 +27 +31 +32 +34 +44 other)
• Company names mentioned in 419 spam:
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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "i will like you to " (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
  • "cheque " (Beware of any scheme that involves cashing checks or money orders and then wiring a portion of the funds somewhere - you'll be liable for the entire amount if the checks or money orders turn out to be fake, even after you have received and forwarded cash. If it's a lottery prize, remember that real lotteries do not pay large prizes by check. They wire the money directly to your bank account and you do not pay for that. Many scammers promise a large check only in order to then demand payment of courier fees for a fake courier service. )
• This email message is a "New Partner from Paraguay" scam.
• Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +22993861923 (Benin, probably a prepaid mobile phone)

Fraud email example:

From: "IKENNA NWAMAZI" <ikennanwamazi@ig.com.br>
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2008 11:22:29 -0700
Subject: Hello my good friend,


Hello my good friend,

Compliments of the season and God's blessings from Ikenn Nwamzi the
Barrister who contacted you long ago, I am very happy to inform you about my
success in getting that fund transferred, Now I want you to contact my
secretary on the information below.

NAME: Mr.Joseph Robert
PHONE:+229 93861923
EMAIL: (joseph_robert@live.ca)

I want to compensate you and show my gratitude to you with the sum of $1,5m
cashier cheque which I left to my secretary on your behalf.

Ask him to send you the total of ($1,5m)USD Cashier's Cheque, which I kept
for your compensation contact him on his email or His direct telephone

Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from
the bottom of my heart,Also comply with Mr. Joseph directives so that he
will send the cheque to you

Please do let me know immediately you receive it so that we can share the
joy after all the sufferies at that time. In the moment,I am very busy here
in Germany because of the investment projects me and my new partners are
having at hand.

Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your
current mailing address where you want him to send the money to you.

Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear from you.

Barrister Ikenna Nwamazi
(Germany)

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam